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Student Nurse Tech (Valor)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

VALOR participants who take a position with the VA upon graduation are usually hired one-to-three steps above the entry-level salary rate established for new graduates. This is because VALOR participants are already oriented to VA and its practice requirements. VALOR students may be appointed on a full- or part-time basis during the summer months, and may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time basis.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
05/20/2022 to 05/27/2022
Salary
$71,162 to - $71,162 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 00
Location
Houston, TX
2 vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Intermittent
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
00
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBST-11506186-22-DR
Control number
655748500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This advertisement is for VALOR Students (VA Learning Opportunities Residency) program eligible.

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Duties

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Length of Program:
The program requires a minimum of 400 consecutive hours from the starting date through 9/30/2022. The VALOR student will ideally be able to work 40 hours/week after the 10-week period of the VALOR Program during the summer of 2022. Concurrent enrollment in academic coursework during the VALOR program is discouraged.

Program Description:
Under the guidance of a proficient VA registered nurse preceptor, VALOR students have opportunities for learning including didactic or classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practice and develop clinical competencies in a nursing specialty area. The student will also complete an independent, problem-focused, clinical project.

The nursing VALOR Program is designed for outstanding students who are completing their junior year in a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) accredited Baccalaureate programs.

VALOR students develop clinical competencies in a selected nursing specialty area, under the guidance of VA (RN) Registered Nurse preceptors. Areas available for assignment include Medical/Surgical units, Emergency Department, and Inpatient Mental Health unit.

Learning opportunities in these specialty areas will be enhanced by structured clinical experiences including competency based clinical practice and participation in interdisciplinary clinical conferences. Continuing Education programs held by the medical center are often open to VALOR students.

As a temporary, intermittent employee, you will not be entitled to benefits (retirement, life insurance, health insurance or leave accrual).

Work Schedule: 8-hour shifts and 12-hour shifts Monday- Friday according to preceptors schedule
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized
Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To Qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/27/2022

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Meet physical examination standard requirements & government background investigation.
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Be able to complete a minimum of 400 consecutive hours (10 weeks - Full Time, 40 hours per week) as a VALOR student during the summer months.
  • Be completing the junior year in an accredited BSN program.
  • Submit a Resume
  • Submit a Transcript (unofficial)
  • Submit a Letter from Dean/Director of school of nursing which is to include the following information
    • Nomination of the student to the program
    • Verification of enrollment as a full-time student
    • Date or anticipated date of successful completion of Junior year (must be completed prior to starting the program)
    • Anticipated date of graduation (must be within one year after entry into the VALOR program)
    • Please also make note that your program remains accredited during the entire time.
***Students with a service obligation to any Federal, State, or private institution, or in recipient of any Federal scholarships are ineligible for the Nursing VALOR Program. Also, please identify if you are working for the VA currently (for you cannot be in two paid systems at the same time).***

Physical Requirements: Pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying of 45 pounds and over may be required. There may also be long periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending or stooping-and those situations may be frequent. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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